Now the meaning of “credit” is this—­when
a customer buys a bar of soap, instead of the customer
pulling out a purse and paying for it—­she
says she will pay another time.

And Pickles makes a low bow and says, “With
pleasure, madam,” and it is written down in
a book.

The customers come again and again, and buy quantities,
in spite of being afraid of Ginger and Pickles.

But there is no money in what is called the “till.”

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

The customers came in crowds every day and bought
quantities, especially the toffee customers.
But there was always no money; they never paid for
as much as a pennyworth of peppermints.

But the sales were enormous, ten times as large as
Tabitha Twitchit’s.

[Illustration]

As there was always no money, Ginger and Pickles were
obliged to eat their own goods.

Pickles ate biscuits and Ginger ate a dried haddock.

They ate them by candle-light after the shop was closed.

[Illustration]

When it came to Jan. 1st there was still no money,
and Pickles was unable to buy a dog licence.

“It is very unpleasant, I am afraid of the police,”
said Pickles.

“It is your own fault for being a terrier; I
do not require a licence, and neither does Kep, the
Collie dog.”

“It is very uncomfortable, I am afraid I shall
be summoned. I have tried in vain to get a licence
upon credit at the Post Office;” said Pickles.
“The place is full of policemen. I met one
as I was coming home.”

“Let us send in the bill again to Samuel Whiskers,
Ginger, he owes 22/9 for bacon.”

“I do not believe that he intends to pay at
all,” replied Ginger.

[Illustration]

“And I feel sure that Anna Maria pockets things—­Where
are all the cream crackers?”

“You have eaten them yourself,” replied
Ginger.

[Illustration]

Ginger and Pickles retired into the back parlour.

They did accounts. They added up sums and sums,
and sums.

“Samuel Whiskers has run up a bill as long as
his tail; he has had an ounce and three-quarters of
snuff since October.”

“What is seven pounds of butter at 1/3, and
a stick of sealing wax and four matches?”

“Send in all the bills again to everybody ‘with
comp’ts,’” replied Ginger.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

After a time they heard a noise in the shop, as if
something had been pushed in at the door. They
came out of the back parlour. There was an envelope
lying on the counter, and a policeman writing in a
note-book!

Pickles nearly had a fit, he barked and he barked
and made little rushes.